SURGICAL CAP
c. 1970Dark green, close-fitting cotton skull cap with two cream-coloured tape ties at the back to secure.
The cap is made up of two panels, a teardrop-shaped panel for the top of the head, and a waving length of fabric for the circumference of the head. The ties are unhemmed and fraying and are secured to the cap with reinforced x-shaped stitching.
Details
Details
The cap has stamped markings on the inside that read: ‘H. L. L. S. 112 D18’.
H. L. L. S. refers to Hospital Laundry and Linen Service.
A note received with the cap in 1999 from Clinical Nurse Manager C Lisle reads: 'Used by Sir George Bedbrook at Shenton Park. We had to keep two or three especially for him after the introduction of disposable caps. C Lisle, Clincial Nurse Manager, SP (Shenton Park), 1976-2001'.
George Bedbrook (b1921 - d1991) was the Director of the Paraplegic Unit at Royal Perth Hospital Shenton Park Annex from 1954 to 1972. He pioneered the Department of Paraplegia as well as providing service to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Royal Perth Hospital. Bedbrook was internationally recognised for his role promoting sport and exercise as a means of rehabilitating patients with spinal cord injuries. George Bedbrook's contribution to the care of the paraplegic has received world wide recognition. He was also active in the rehabilitation of injuries and problems of road trauma.
This item is of historical significance and is associated with distinguished surgeon Sir George Bedbrook. Bedbrook was responsible for enormous advances in the care and treatment of spinal patients. He pioneered the Department of Paraplegia and was Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Shenton Park from 1965 to 1975. His legacy includes the formation of the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. The cap is well-provenanced and has interpretive value for illustrating the ground-breaking surgical and therapeutic work performed by Bedbrook.
